Chasing Jade

Chapter 5

My hands fall to my side and his arms release around me.
I wipe the tears from my face. I'm embarrassed that I let myself fall to pieces like that, but it felt good to be wrapped into someone else.

"Want some lunch?" Jared's voice is a whisper.

I nod and follow him back down the stairs and into the kitchen. It's a quiet walk as I'm still trying to keep myself together, I feel as if I speak another word I'll crumble even more.
Shannon is in the kitchen making a sandwich as we walk in.
He gives a smirk to me but quickly looks away as Jared comes in behind me.
I either don't look like I've been crying or Shannon hasn't noticed.

"Care to make two more?" Jared takes a seat across from his brother.
Jared gives me a look to come sit next to him, I walk over and take the seat.

Shannon hands me the sandwich he was working on, I can feel his eyes on me but I can't look up at him.

"Thank you." My voice shakes from the raw emotions I just let out earlier.

He makes two more sandwiches and Jared and I sit and eat while Shannon stands on the other side of us eating. I pick at the food, tearing pieces apart and eating very little of it.

"I've got to get ready for a small interview but I'll be back later today to get everything figured out. Alright Jade?  Later Shannon." And with that he walks out the front door.

Shannon moves to sit next to me, he leans his forearms against the counter and it's hard not to notice his flexing muscles under his skin.

"You alright Jade?" I can feel him so close to me but not touching me.

"I'm good. I, uh found out you and your brother are pretty famous." I smile down at my plate still not wanting to make eye contact.

He folds his hands together, "I mean Jared is definitely the more known one." He lets out a small laugh, "I'm just the drummer."

"Well I had no idea who either of you were till a few minutes ago." I finally look up at him, his eyes staring right back at me.

"Jade, you sure you're ok?" His face turns to concern.

"I just had a small break down. I'm sorry. It's just been, I don't know..." I let out a sigh and turn my face so I'm staring back at the plate of food again.

Shannons hand reaches under my chin and tilts my face towards him again, his thumb gently placed on the side of my face, "I promise you're safe here and I won't throw you to the wolves."

His touch is warm and I close my eyes taking in the moment. I don't know exactly how to take his words but I take in his touch.
I can't think of a response, I keep facing him even when his hand falls from my face.

"I don't know your past, I barely even know you but you deserve to feel safe and protected." His voice is a deep whisper.

I open my eyes to look at him, "Thank you." I want to say more but I can't.

Shannon gets up and smiles at me as he walks around the counter and trashes the plates we had out, including the one Jared left out.

"I'll be back in a minute, just sit tight." He is already walking out of the kitchen.
I nod but he doesn't see me.

I rest my head on the counter, 'What am I thinking! Am I even thinking! I don't know if those are moments to them but they were to me! They are brothers and so out of my league, I don't even have a league but if I did they would be no where near it. Maybe it's just a moment of weakness, yeah, that's what it is. A lot has happened and I just don't have a grip on things right now.' I let out a long sigh and lift up my head.
Shannon is walking back into the kitchen and he's getting off the phone with someone.

"That was the police." He groans, "That, that asshole is trying to press charges against me now."

"I'm so sorry. I, I can tell them this was all a misunderstanding, I'll get him to drop the charges. I'm sorry." I get up and start heading towards the bedroom to pack my things.

"Jade, wait." He does a small jog to get to me, "Please, don't think this is your fault and also don't think you have to fix this." He tries to reach for my shoulder but i shrug him off.

"Look, I appreciate everything, but you two are somebody's, this could be blown way out of proportion with the media. I'm just a nobody that you all will forget about soon enough, so let's just do that. Forget about all this and me." I close the bedroom door behind me and start shoving my things in my bag.

I stand by the door and I can hear Shannon talking on the phone but I can't make out the words. I grab my phone and remember that it's dead. 'Great. Now I have to ask him to call me a cab.' I put the phone in my pocket and open the door.
I walk out and Shannon is leaning against the wall across from the door. I don't look at him, I decide I'll find another way home to avoid talking. I head towards the front door and Shannon is behind me, not saying a word.
I break the silence.

"I'm sorry. Please tell Jared the same." I bite my lip as I open the front door to walk out.